2026 Accounting and Finance Graduate

About us

National Grid is at the heart of the UK energy network keeping people connected and society moving. We develop, own and maintain the physical infrastructure, such as pylons and cables needed to move the electricity generated from windfarms and power sources around the country. Every time a phone is plugged in, or a switch is turned on, we've played a part, connecting you to the electricity you need - and we're leading the transformation towards a greener future, dreaming bigger to bring a more affordable energy future to everyone.

But it's our people that provide our true superpower. They drive and sustain our growth, their unique differences only making us stronger. But it's no small feat and we need the best to join us in our mission. So, join us and power the future of energy. 

About The Role

We are looking to find our future Finance leaders! On the Finance Graduate Scheme you will undertake three 12-month placements with the opportunity to gain experience in a variety of roles across different Finance teams.

After your first year with us, you’ll have the opportunity to move placement for your second and third years where you will gain experience relevant to achieving your career aspirations. Alongside your placements, National Grid will support you to study towards a professional qualification (either CIMA or ACCA) which will be delivered through an external training provider as part of a Level 7 Apprenticeship.

Some of the teams that you may be work in will include:

Transactional / General Accounting teams - This placement is designed to develop your fundamental finance knowledge and technical skills. You’ll come to understand National Grid’s finance systems whilst completing transactional level accounting, posting journals and managing cost centres. 

Central Finance Teams - These placements aim to give you a broader understanding of National Grid, either at a UK level or National Grid Group Level and focus on consolidation and messaging. This could include Financial Planning & Analysis, Regulatory Reporting, Group Management Reporting or Treasury.

Business Partnering - A business partner role focuses on providing insight and being a trusted advisor to the teams you support. Each business partnering placement is different, but they all offer the opportunity to develop your stakeholder management, stakeholder engagement, communication, and messaging skills.

Other Placements - In addition to the placements above, there is also the opportunity to complete placements in Tax, Internal Audit, and Project Teams (when available).

Our Graduate Programme

As you'll be joining our 18-month graduate programme, you'll have a tailored development pathway to support you as you develop a wide range of leadership, business, and technical skills. You'll attend in-person and virtual development sessions throughout your programme to equip you with the essential skills required, as you begin your career at National Grid. We're committed to the personal development of our colleagues so as well as the support from your line manager as you navigate your new role, you'll also have access to 121 coaching and a mentor, from a previous cohort to help you transition from campus to corporate life.

All graduates complete the core development programme to develop key skills such as how to make an impact, giving feedback and presentation skills.  Aligned to our finance pathway, you’ll complete three 1-year placements during your programme alongside completing a Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) Level 7 degree apprenticeship. You'll also be able to further develop your commerciality skills and gain insight of engineering and electricity to increase your awareness of our business and industry.
 

We believe in the importance of getting as much on-the-job experience as possible and to do this, you will complete three 6-month placements, across the UK, designed to deepen your understanding of your speciality but to also broaden your knowledge of our business. At the end of your 18-month programme you’ll return to your initial placement area to kickstart your superpowered career.

What you'll need to apply

You'll need to achieve a minimum 2:2 in any degree discipline. It doesn’t matter when you graduated or if you are currently working towards your qualification. You don't need prior experience or a finance-based degree; we will teach you everything you need to know to develop into a future Finance leader.

This role is based in National Grid House in Warwick and offers flexible hybrid working, where possible. You’ll need flexibility to travel within role and throughout your rotations as required.

What You'll Get In Return

We are proud to offer a graduate starting salary of £36,640
 

Not only will you receive a tailored development programme to progress a superpowered career at National Grid, we also offer some great rewards and benefits too: 

• £2,000 bonus, once joined and started on programme
• 26 days holiday
• £2,400 payment on successful completion of the programme
• Up to £200 per month accommodation allowance as you move around the business, and additional annual leave for when you move between placements plus assistance with moving personal belongings
• Other benefits include pension and share-option schemes, Flexible Benefits, close mentorship and regular feedback & volunteering opportunities. 

More Information

You can only apply for one graduate opportunity during this recruitment cycle. We kindly ask that you review all our graduate opportunities and apply for the one that aligns closest with your aspirations and interests.

We recruit on a rolling basis and reserve the right to close our vacancies once we have enough applications/based on volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as early as possible to ensure you obtain the place you want in the application process. 

Assessment centres will be held between November - April 2026

National Grid's Graduate & Student opportunities in the UK are open to all applicants who meet the eligibility criteria including an existing and valid right to work in the UK. As part of the application process this will need to be evidenced and verified before you can start the programme.

Please note that in most cases, National Grid is unable to offer sponsorship for employment under the UK points-based immigration system. As such, applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK without requiring sponsorship now or in the future under the UK points-based immigration system. However, in exceptional circumstances where there is a clear and demonstrable need for specialist skills that cannot be sourced from the local labour market, National Grid may consider offering sponsorship. All applications are welcome from candidates who meet these requirements, regardless of race, nationality, or ethnic origin.

Please be aware that it’s your responsibility to explore avenues of working in the UK, as we're not able to provide advice on this. For information about visas please visit https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas